After Rajab al-Murajab, Shaban al-Moazzam is the second month of Ibadah (worship) in order to make preparations for the grand and majestic month of Ramadhan al-Mubarak - the month of fasting and forgiveness.

Shaban al-Moazzam is a month of high excellence and is dedicated to the Leader of the Prophets, Muhammad (saw). He used to keep fasts during this month and join it with the month of Ramadhan al-Mubarak. He used to say, "Sha'ban is a month dedicated to me. Whoever keeps one fast during my month will definitely go to heaven".

Recommended Fasts for the Islamic Lunar month of Sha'ban:

1st, 2nd and 3rd of Shaaban. 1st Thursday, Mid-Wednesday and last Thursday of Shaaban. 13th, 14th and 15th of Shaaban.

Any Thursday, Friday and Saturday of Shaaban. The last three days of Shaaban to connect with the Holy month of Ramadhan.

Usamah ibn Zaid inquired: "O Messenger of Allah, I never find you fasting in any month like you do during the month of Shaban." Prophet Muhammad (saw) responded: "That is the month the people neglect. It comes between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which the deeds are raised to the Lord of the Worlds. I love that my deeds be raised while I am fasting."

Recite everyday 70 times: Astaghfirullahal Ladhee Laa ilaaha illa Huwar-Rahmanur-Raheemul-Hayyul-Qayyoomu wa Atoobu ilaihi (I seek forgiveness of Allah who is "There is no god save He", the Beneficent, the Merciful, the Ever-living, the Eternal and I turn repentant to Him).

Give as much Sadaqah (alms) as possible.

Recite Salawaat as many times as possible on Prophet Muhammad (saw).

Recite 1000 times the following Dhikr within the month i.e. divide it throughout the month of Shaaban:

Laa ilaaha illallahu walaa Na'budu illa iyyaahu Mukhliseena Lahud-deen walau karihal-mushrikoon (There is no god save Allah, we do not worship save Him, making religion pure for Him only, however much the disbelievers be averse).

Mid-Sha'ban is the 15th day of the Islamic month of Shaban al-Moazzam. The fifteenth night of this month of the Islamic lunar calendar is known as Laylatul Bara'ah or Laylatun Nisfe min Sha'ban in the Arab world. In India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Afghanistan, etc., it is known as Shab-e-Barat.

Prophet Muhammad (saw) had said that during the night of 15th Shaaban the Almighty Allah (SWT) takes decisions in the matters of sustenance, life and death and welfare of the people.

Next to the "Night of Qadr" the night of 15th Shaban, Lailatul Barat is the most auspicious night (also known as Shab-e-Barat or Night of Baraat). According to Imam Muhammad bin Ali Al-Baqir (as) and Imam Ja'far bin Muhammad As Sadiq (as), the Almighty Allah (SWT) has promised to fulfill every legitimate desire put forward to Him tonight.

Night of Bara'ah or Lailatul Barat is a night in which special blessings are directed towards the Muslims as mentioned earlier. Therefore, this night should be spent in total submission to Almighty Allah (SWT), and one should refrain from all those activities, which may displease Allah (SWT).

In order to observe the Night of Bara'ah or Shab-e-Barat, one should remain awakened in this night as much as he can. If someone has better opportunities, he should spend the whole night in worship and prayer. However, if one cannot do so for one reason or another, he can select a considerable portion of the night, preferably of the second half of it for this purpose.

Shab-e-Barat, Shab-e-Baraat, Laylatul Bara'ah:

Sunni Muslims (except Wahabi/Salafi) observe Mid-Sha'ban as a night of worship and salvation. Sunni narrative is that Allah (SWT) determines the destiny of all people, including whether a person lives or dies, in the coming year and for this reason it is sometimes called the "Night of Emancipation". The night of Shabe Baraat is also called as the night of freedom because Allah (SWT) frees all His sinful servants who were destined for Jahannam (Hell).

Hence, Shab-e-Baraat, the night of reverence and fervour is considered as one of the most sacred nights of the Muslim lunar calendar. It is the night when all the Muslims in the world unite in praying all night long. To mark the holy night Muslims prayed Allah Almighty to remove their worries and shower His blessings on Muslim Ummah. Muslims stayed awaken on the night of Shab-e-Barat and asked for forgiveness for the past year mistakes and prayed for good fortune for future.

The festival of Shab-e-Baraat is celebrated with Religious flavor and enthusiasm by Muslim all over the planet. The followers of Islam believe that on the Night of Shab-e-Baraat Allah (SWT) writes the destinies of all men for the coming year by taking into account the deeds committed by them in the past. Shab-e-Baraat means the night of forgiveness of Day of Atonement. Hence, it is night of accountability for all the Muslims and their performance of last one year in the light of the teachings of Holy Quran and Sunnah is reviewed.

The prayers during this night carry great importance and value for the Muslims to renew their pledge to lead lives in accordance with the teachings of Holy Quran and Sunnah.

It is customary to fast the whole day and before the night's events, Muslims put on dress clothes. They call or visit family and friends' homes to ask for forgiveness and pray for them. Then they visit their ancestors' graves and pray for peace for the deceased souls.

Just in preparation to welcome the Holy Month of Ramadan Al-Mubarak, houses, religious buildings and mosques are illuminated by candles or electric bulbs. Sweets are distributed among the poor and the friends and relatives.

The Shia Muslims spend the entire eve of the 15th of Sha'ban in prayers and worship. Spend the day of the 15th of Sha'ban in celebration, as it marks the birthday of final Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi (as). The Shia Muslims believe him to be the Mahdi, an important figure who Sunni Muslims believe will rid the world of tyranny and injustice.

Special Prayers and Aamal for the night of 15th Shaban or Shab-e-Barat:

Do Ghusl (ablution) with the thought of washing away sins and as if it's your last Ghusl

Hadeeth regarding Prayers and Aa'mal of Month of Sha'abān al Moazam

It has been reported from Imām Ja'far ibn Muhammad al-Sādiq (A.S.) that on the commencement of this month,

Imām ‘Alī ibn Al-Husayn Zayn al-‘Ābidīn

would gather his companions and address them,

“O my companions, do you know which month this is? It is the month of Sha'abān about which the Holy Messenger (s.a.w.w.) used to say that it is dedicated to him. So keep fasts during this month in the love of your Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) and to attain closeness to your Creator. By Allāh in whose hands is my soul, I have heard from my father, Husayn ibn ‘Alī (a.s.), that he had heard from Amīr al-Mu'minīn (a.s.), that whoever keeps fast during Sha’baan in the love of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w) and to attain closeness to Allāh will become a friend to Allāh and on the Day of Judgment will be close to Allāh by His grace and Paradise will be assured to him.”

Imām ‘Alī ibn Ḥusayn (A.S) said:

“‘Fasting for the month of Sha'abān & Ramazān continuously is like repenting before Allāh (s.w.t.). These are the months of Allāh (s.w.t.) and they compensate for the sins of the two months of past and present each.”

[Reference: Sawaabul A’amaal, page no. 93]

Imām Ja'far ibn Muhammad al-Sādiq (A.S.) said:

“By Allāh, the fasts of Shaban and Ramadan are like repenting before Allāh.”.

[Reference: Sawaabul A’amaal & Iqaabul A’amaal, Page 93]

Holy Prophet Muhammad al Mustafā (S.A.W.W) said:

“If a person recites 4 units (Rak’ats) Namaz in the month of Sha’ban, such that in each unit (Rak’at) after Surah-al-Hamd recites 50 times Surah-at-Tawheed, then during death his spirit will be removed with ease, and his grave will become spacious, and on the day of Qiyamat when he comes out of his grave, his face will be shining bright like a full moon and ‘Kalmae Shahadat’ will be on his lips."

“The person who recites the following supplication (du’a) one thousand times in the month of Sha’ban, Allāh (s.w.t.) will write in his account one thousand years of worship, and will forgive his sins of one thousand years. And on the day of Qiyamat when he will arise from his grave, his face will be shining like a full moon, and his name will be written among the truthful ones (Siddiqeen):

“One who fasts on first of Shaban then surely, Paradise would be made obligatory for him.
If he observes two fasts, the Almighty Allāh would look at him with mercy in this world every day and night. He would also shower His mercy on him in Paradise.
One who fasts for three days would get to visit Allah daily on the Divine throne in Paradise.”

[Reference: Sawaabul A’amaal & Iqaabul A’amaal, Page 92]

Holy Prophet Muhammad al Mustafā (S.A.W.W) said:

“One who fasts for One day in Sha'abān, Allāh writes from him seventy rewards and each reward will be equal to that of worshipping Allāh for a year.”

“One who fasts for two days, He would save him from those sins, which destroy a person.”

“One who fasts for three days, his position in Paradise would increased by seventy levels with pearls and rubies.”

“One who fasts for four days in Paradise his earnings would increase greatly.”

“One who fasts for five days would be loved by the people.”

“One who fasts for six days, Allāh (s.w.t.) would keep away seventy types of calamities from him.”“One who fasts for seven days he would remain safe from the mischief and evil thoughts of Satan and his gangs.”

“One who fasts for eight days won’t go thirsty from this world and would be satisfied by a pure cistern.”

“One who fasts for nine days, Munkir and Nakir would be lenient with him while questioning in the grave.”

“One who fasts for ten days his grave would expand by seventy spans.”

“One who fasts for eleven days his grave would be lit up by eleven minarets of light.”

“One who fasts for twelve days in Sha'abān al Moazam seventy thousand angels would visit his grave every day till the Day of Judgment.”

“One who fasts for thirteen days angels of all seven heavens would repent for him.”

“One who fasts for fourteen days all the terrestrial and aquatic animals will be ordered to seek forgiveness for him.”

“One who fasts for fifteen days Sha'abān al Moazam, the Almighty Allāh calls out, ‘I assure you by My Honor that I won’t burn you in the fire of Hell’.”

“One who fasts for sixteen days, seventy rivers of fire will be extinguished for him.”

[Reference: Sawaabul A’amaal, page no. 95, 96]

Holy Prophet Muḥammad al Mustafā (S.A.W.W) was asked

“Which fast is supreme?”

He (s.a.w.w.) said, “The fasts of Shaban for the welcoming of Ramadan.”

[Reference: Sawaabul A’amaal page 94]

Ja'far ibn Muhammad al-Sādiq (A.S.) said:

“One who fasts continuously from Shaban to the month of Ramadan then by Allāh, these fasts would be counted among repentance of Allāh, the Mighty and Sublime.”

[Reference: Sawaabul A’amaal & Iqaabul A’amaal, Page 92]

Imām Alī ibn Mūsā al-Rezā(A.S.) said:

“If one observes fasting on the last three days of Sha`ban and attach it to the obligatory fasting of Ramadan, Almighty Allāh will reward him as if he has observed fasting for two consecutive months.”

[Reference: Mafatih al Jinan]

Abi Salt al-Harawi visited Imam al-Reza (a.s) on the last Friday of Sha`ban

Imām Alī ibn Mūsā al-Rezā(A.S.) said:

“Abu’lalt: The majority of Sha`ban has passed. This is the last Friday in it. You should thus settle what you have missed in this month by working hard in the rest of it. You may supplicate, seek forgiveness of Almighty Allāh, recite the Holy Qur'an, and repent before Almighty Allāh from your sins so that you receive the month of Ramadan with pure sincerity to Almighty Allāh. You must fulfill all the trusts that you are liable to settle; and do not bear malice against any of your brethren-in-faith; and you must give up any sin that you commit. Fear Almighty Allāh and trust in Him in secret and openly, for ‘If any one puts his trust in Allāh, sufficient is (Allāh) for him. For Allāh will surely accomplish his purpose: verily, for all things has Allāh appointed a due proportion. 65/3’

In the rest days of Sha`ban, you may repeat the following supplication very much for Almighty Allāh saves many people from Hellfire on account of the sanctity of this month